Colour codes
Where to find your Mercedes-Benz paint colour code
Mercedes-Benz paint codes are three-digit numbers, found on a sticker in the door jamb or under the bonnet. Here's where to look, what the code looks like, and what to do if it's missing.
FT Paints
· 3 min read
Where to look on your Mercedes
- Door jamb. Open the driver's door and check the B-pillar, the upright between the front and rear doors. Most Mercedes-Benz cars and vans have the ID plate with the paint code here.
- Under the bonnet. On older models, check the slam panel or radiator support across the front of the engine bay, or the inner wings.
- Service book or data card. Some cars have the paint code in the front of the service book or on the vehicle data card supplied with the car.
How to read the plate
The paint code is in the bottom-left corner of the ID plate, under the Mercedes-Benz logo and above the model type. It may have a letter in front of it, like C359, but the three-digit number is the paint code. The VIN and weights on the right-hand side can be ignored.
Mercedes-Benz paint codes are almost always three digits, and leading zeros count, so solid black is 040, not 40. Don't confuse the ID plate with the tyre pressure label, which often sits on the same door jamb.
Many Mercedes colours have been in use for years, so the same code can cover a wide range of models. 197 Obsidian Black, for example, has been used since the late 1990s. You can search any code on our Mercedes-Benz colour codes page.
Popular Mercedes-Benz colours
A few of the codes we mix most often for Mercedes. Tap one to see the finish and order it mixed to code.
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz
Can't find the sticker?
If the sticker's missing or unreadable, you've still got options:
- Ask a dealer. Call your local Mercedes-Benz dealership, ask for the Parts department, and give them your registration or VIN. They can look up the factory colour code.
- Search by name. If you know the colour name, search it on our Mercedes-Benz colour codes page. Many are listed under their German names, such as Obsidianschwarz or Polarweiss.
Still stuck, or not sure the code matches a resprayed panel? Bring the fuel flap or a small part into a branch and we'll match it on the counter.
What you’ll need
Once you have the code, the finish tells you what to order. Mercedes Benz colours fall into these groups:
Single-stage
Solid colours
One paint. It dries to a gloss finish, so no lacquer is needed.
395 Mercedes Benz colours
Two-stage
Metallic, pearl and most modern colours
Basecoat, then clear lacquer over the top. Matt colours need a matt lacquer instead.
684 Mercedes Benz colours
Three-stage
Pearl tri-coat colours
Basecoat, a pearl mid-coat, then clear lacquer. Order both paints together so they match.
10 Mercedes Benz colours
Which size?
Touch-up 50ml
Chips & scratches
Aerosol 400ml
Bumper or panel touch-in
500ml
1–2 panels
1L
2–3 panels
2.5L
Most full resprays
Each colour’s page shows its finish and the sizes it comes in. For two- and three-stage colours, finish with our clear lacquer or the clear lacquer aerosol.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is the paint code on a Mercedes?
- On most models it's on the vehicle ID plate on the driver's door jamb (B-pillar), in the bottom-left corner under the Mercedes-Benz logo. On older models, check under the bonnet on the slam panel or radiator support.
- What does a Mercedes paint code look like?
- A three-digit number, such as 197 (Obsidian Black), 149 (Polar White) or 040 (solid black). Keep any leading zero when you search.
- Can I find my Mercedes paint code from the registration number?
- Yes. A Mercedes-Benz dealer's Parts department can look up the factory paint code from your registration or VIN.
